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Sam Jones: Something In Common
ByAll the more reason to admire Sam Jones, who tenaciously did his thing and came up with a real hidden treasure. The leader’s epic "Seven Minds," which begins and ends with rich, unaccompanied bass, is alone worth the price of the reissue. But there are also sparkling versions of Walton’s "Bolivia" and "Something In Common," Hampton’s "Every Man Is a King," and Mitchell’s "Blue Silver," as well as a tender reading of "For All We Know."
As a bonus, there are three extra tracks drawn from Cedar Walton’s 1976 live album Firm Roots, featuring Walton on piano and Rhodes, Jones on bass, and Jones’s longtime rhythm section partner Louis Hayes on drums. Unfortunately, the recording quality pales in comparison to that of Something In Common. It also seems a bit odd to include Walton-led material on a Sam Jones CD. As for the tunes, we could have gotten by without the trio’s plodding version of "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," although Walton’s "Shoulders" and Jones’s fast blues "One for Amos" have their rewards.
By digging into the vaults and rescuing Something In Common from the late 70s commercial slump that once doomed it, 32 Jazz does Sam Jones and all jazz lovers a service. It’s important to remember that before the current jazz "renaissance," these legends remained very active and were playing better than ever, even if few were paying attention.
Track Listing
Seven Minds; Bolivia; Something In Common; Every Man Is A King; For All We Know; Blue Silver; Shoulders; One For Amos; You Are The Sunshine Of My Life.
Personnel
Sam Jones
bass, acousticSam Jones--bass; Cedar Walton--piano; Slide Hampton--trombone; Blue Mitchell--trumpet; Bob Berg--tenor saxophone; Billy Higgins--drums; Louis Hayes--drums.
Album information
Title: Something In Common | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: 32 Records
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